Right or Left? Which Side are You Driving on?

Have you ever wondered why countries that were former British colonies drive on the left, when most of the rest of the world tends to drive on the right side of the road? As it turns out according to one source: (http://users.telenet.be/worldstandards/driving%20on%20the%20left.htm)
In the middle ages swordsmen preferred to keep to the left side of the road, with the majority of them being right handed they would be able to engage any opponents quickly.

This was the beginning of a mass movement worldwide where all transportation was done on the left sides of roads. Every country did that for a time because that was just the way of it. in New York in 1804 they began to drive their wagons on the right side of the road (probably since they were no longer affiliated with Britain at that time). Other states followed suit. Canada switched from left to right after the second world war. In the end, countries who were influenced by the American driving trend or who found it easier to make the switch than not to did so. Those still influenced by Britain (who at one point thought about switching as well, but did not), those countries remained in the English driving tradition.

This brings up another question, is the pedal configuration different in a right drive car? The answer to that is “no” Wouldn’t want to make it too complicated for tourists I guess. Although the wipers may look backward and the steering wheel is on what seems to ber the opposite side, the Gas pedal is always on the right, brake and clutch on the left in every car you could sit in.

(Source: http://forum.miata.net/vb/archive/index.php/t-217665.html)

Hopefully you found that somwhat interesting. I’m done…for now…More later!